Rode the SWC to Chicago out of LA 4/10 and thought I'd share a couple of comments:
Biggest change was that the long stop west of KC for handling mail/express has been eleminated.
On time or early at service stops, 45 minutes early into KC, 30 minutes early into Chicago even with a 45 minute delay at Fort Madison waiting for two barges to clear the swing bridge. Early arrival at KC allowed enough time to check out the impressive restoration of the station.
Two coach attendants for three cars instead of one coach attendant for three cars as was the case on Oct. and Jan. trips.
All sleeper space sold out before departure, no chance to upgrade on board; most coach space sold.
New menus with daily dinner special drew favorable comments from passengeres and prices are lower.
rick
Posted by dcfan (Member # 2311) on :
Any 90 mph running on the trip? Any semaphores still in use? Did you have a guide on board in New Mexico? If so, was the lounge crowded during his talk?
Thanks.
Posted by rmiller (Member # 341) on :
Generally speaking, much of the route is 90mph....this was covered at some length in a thread in the forum recently. If I can find it, I'll refer you to it. The 90mph stretches are west of Fort Madison to KC, Hutchinson KS to Trinidad CO, and west of Dailies NM...except for standard curve and other restrictions. I noticed semaphores between Raton and Albuquerque. There was a guide in the lounge from Albq to Gallup and because of the length of his narration, people come and go, so seats open up even though it is crowded. I'd get a seat in the lounge before leaving Albq. If you have time at Albq during the servicing of the train, and if you like ice cream, go to the creamery across the street from the bus station. You walk to the street, turn right and walk to the first corner (1/2 block) and cross the street, so it is very close by. If you want something more substantial, there is a deli nearby as well...pass the creamery on your LEFT** and turn left at the next corner, it will be on your left, up the street.
** that is left, not right, as I said in my email to you, sorry.
Other than that, can't think of anything else to add...it's a good operation. BNSF dispatchers keep the train moving right along...can't think of one time we waited for a freight. Oh, if you're traveling coach, buy a neck pillow.
rick
Posted by Eric (Member # 674) on :
Glad you had a good trip! Those BNSF DSs have really done good work on getting the Chief through. On my latest trip last Sept., we only had to wait for a freight once, but I believe we had gotten into single track territory. The on-board guide in the lounge on my latest trip was having microphone problems, so I wasn't able to hear the commentary. I had heard it several times before, so wasn't too dissapointed, but it's interesting to listen to. Due to #3 running about an hour late into ABQ last Sept., I was able to visit that icecream shop. It offers a good selection of flavors, and was a nice diversion.
Posted by Konstantin (Member # 18) on :
It sounds like things have improved on the Southwest Chief. Since David Gunn has come on board, there continue to be more favorable comments that keep appearing here. Let's hope they keep it up.
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :
Have the travel guide's narrative been piped in on channel 3 or 4 throughout the train, yet? Or is it still only available in the lounge?
15 days and a wake up until train time! (Austin-Milwaukee-Williams Junction-San Diego-Austin)
Posted by rmiller (Member # 341) on :
No, the narrative is only heard in the lounge car unless the guide forgets to turn the switch to "local", which does happen, but is quickly corrected by crew members.
rick
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
When I rode the SWC in 1996, there was a video program between ABQ and GLP in addition to a Native American guide. If I recall, there was some problem with the guide's microphone, so all we got on that trip was the video.
